Learning life's skills

ROCHESTER — In mid-January, Cadet Colonel Temika Lyman was sworn in as group commander of the Spaulding High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Colonel Lyman replaced former Group Commander Colonel Zoee Clark, who had served for the first half of the school year. Colonel Lyman will serve throughout the balance of the school year.

Both Col. Lyman and Col. Clark are seniors and have been members of the corps for four years.

The Spaulding ROTC unit is known as a legacy. It was established in 1971 as one of the first 100 formed in the United States, and was the first AFJROTC unit in New Hampshire. There are almost 900 AFJROTC units throughout the United States. Major Dan Heeter and Sergeant Joe Kerrigan are the unit’s instructors. They assist the corps in their involvement in hundreds of events each year.

Over the years hundreds of Spaulding students have gone on to adult life using the skills imparted to them by Air Force mentors.

One of the most important of the many tools given to the students is an appreciation of strong civic participation and leadership. Although related to the U.S. military, AFJROTC has a basic mission of developing citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community.

The Rochester community has been the beneficiary of the support and involvement of its high school corps of cadets.

The current group of Spaulding AFJROTC members stands at well over 100 students, with a curriculum which gives the students a well- rounded field of instruction. aerospace science, leadership education and health and wellness are three cornerstones. The science aspect lends itself well to 21st century education which is steeped in STEM.

Leadership gives skills which become more prominent allowing the students to become valuable contributing citizens to their communities throughout life. Health and Wellness education assists the cadets in leading a healthy, active lifestyle, and is designed to get the students “up and moving.”

Some of the cadets have developed a focus on becoming a member of the military at the end of their four years in school, while many others have recognized other benefits.

Zoey Cormican is a cadet staff sergeant who discovered JROTC in the lower grades. “They came to Rochester Middle School and gave a presentation which impressed me,” said the 15-year-old sophomore who also participates in wrestling and lacrosse.

Zoey joined as a freshman and now is a member of the Kitty Hawk Air Society, which is the ROTC equivalent of the National Honor Society. She also appreciates the discipline and leadership skills she is receiving through the program.

Discipline and courtesy are obvious whenever one observes a cadet, singly or in groups. When participating in an event, they appear focused, organized and collected. Courtesy is apparent in the manner that adults are spoken to.

Not all cadets joined upon entering high school. Sixteen-year-old Alyson Cinfo is in her first year. “I waited until I had time to fit this into my schedule because I knew it would require me attention.”

Alyson is part of the team that raises the flag each morning before school. She is involved in lacrosse, gymnastics and soccer at Spaulding. She refers to the AFJROTC as “kind of like a family.”

Parent Lori Schraier has had JROTC experience through family and refers to it as “the best thing – it gives the kids purpose and direction.”

Robert Miles is a 17-year-old Spaulding junior who is active in his school community and very passionate about JROTC. “I joined as a freshman,” he said, “and it has given me more leadership training every year, while teaching me to dedicate myself to my community.” Robert finds something special in the role leadership plays for him. “It allows me to put more on my plate to help others do their best. Robert looks to be an Air Force pilot one day.

Cheyenne Zwicker is following in the footsteps of her mother and father, both of whom were members of the ROTC while attending Spaulding. Cheyenne has achieved much during ROTC regional drills while representing Spaulding. “It has taught me integrity, putting service before self, and performing with excellence in all that we do. “I especially like that we all have each other’s backs.”

Zwicker’s comments were exemplified at the end of the change of command ceremony, when as the new Commander asked the entire corps of cadets, “Are you motivated?” The entire corps responded loudly with these words which were shouted three times each and they resounded throughout the auditorium. “Motivated; Dedicated; Fired Up; OOrah U.S. Air Force, Mam.”

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